Wniewski named Mount Nebo superintendent LITTLE ROCK — Scott Waniewski has been selected as the park superintendent for Mount Nebo State Park according to State Parks Director Greg Butts. As superintendent, Waniewski, who has served as assistant park superintendent for Mount Nebo State Park at Dardanelle since 1991, will be responsible for all operations at the park. Waniewski succeeds Park Superintendent Mike Hall, who retired June 30 after 37 years of service with Arkansas State Pa...

It takes a village: Pope County suffers from foster home shortage(Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles exploring foster care in Pope County.) It's the middle of the night, and a small child is awakened because the police have been called to his house. He doesn't know what's happening, but he's told he has to go away with a police officer. The child arrives at an office, where a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) caseworker tries to make the child comfortable and allows him...

Cyclone sculpture installed at RHSThe last piece of The Center for the Arts project was completed with the installation of a cyclone sculpture on Thursdayon theRussellville High School (RHS) campus. The red cyclone sculpture is comprised of 18 metal rings that range from 18 inches to 10 feet in diameter and is over 15 feet tall. The sculpture is attached to a black concrete base that weighs more than six tons and is anchored with 16 one-inch diameter stainless steel bolts that...

Old Times Day returns to OlaOLA — After a hiatus of more than a decade, Ola's Old Times Day is back. On Aug. 15, a day full of community fun kicks off with a parade at 8:30 a.m. and continues all day with food, music, games, car shows and many other activities. Margaret Roy, event chairperson, said Old Times Day started in 1999 and went for three years, then organizers got busy and the event fell off. Now, the event is back and Roy is hoping it will be better than ever. ...

Cathcart wins Dazzling Beauty pageantPauline Cathcart had little ambition to win the first annual Dazzling Beauty Pageant at River Valley Assisted Living on Tuesday, but that didn't stop the smile from crawling across her face when the crown was placed on her head. Before the competition, the World War II veteran and Bronze Star recipient said she was only participating because she had been asked — after the competition, she lifted her hands to the audience in triumph. Cathcart, ...

Community photo: Local 4-H members place at StateThe 2015 Senior Pope County 4-H members represented their county in the State 4-H O-Rama in Fayetteville. Seven Pope County 4-H members attended and competed in events ranging from fashion Revue and Crop and Weed ID to Welding and Livestock Judging. Joshua Phonvilai was recognized as a State Record Winner and will be eligible for a scholarship next year. Pope County had three youth place in the top five at state. Pictured (from left): Lauren C...

ATU to host free business forumArea business owners and those interested in starting a business are invited to participate in a free business forum Friday, Aug. 7, at the Russellville campus of Arkansas Tech University. The forum will run from 9-11 a.m. The event will be hosted by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. Arvest Bank, Beall Barclay and Company and Wilson and Haubert, PLLC are co-sponsors. The forum is titled “Small Business Forum: Ask t...

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BY SAM STRASNER arkansastechnews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Businesses take part in national pet adoptionPets and animals give people so much — from house cats to service animals and therapy animals, people rely on pets more than they might think. With the help of Adopt-a-Pet.com and the Russellville Animal Shelter, Coldwell Banker, James R. Ford and Associates is going to give back to the animals this weekend by participating in one of the largest, national pet adoption events of the year. The event, “Homes for Dogs National Pet Adoption Weekend...

Church Briefs (July 31, 2015)Church homecoming Aug. 7-9 Trinity United Methodist Church will host its homecoming Aug. 7-9. There will be a weiner roast and ice cream social at 7 p.m. on Aug. 7 in Danville. An old-fashion all-day barbecue will be Aug. 8. with Young Men of Faith, of Morrilton, along with the Gospel Troops of Danville performing at 7 p.m. Worship services will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Aug. 9, with Rev. Tom Sullinger. For more information, call 479-26...

Retail recruiters make pitchRussellville city officials got a look into a possibly bright future from a retail business perspective after two representatives from The Retail Coach in Tupelo, Miss., spoke Wednesday. Walker Wright and Joseph Koon told the audience at City Hall with a daytime trade area of 65,000 up to 70,000 consumers, Russellville’s opportunity to get new retail stores was “huge,” and a partnership with The Retail Coach could start recruiting new business...

Black appointed pastor at Danville churchRev. Lloyd Black was appointed to the pastoral position at the Danville First Assembly of God located on State Highway 10 East on July 5. Brother Black and wife, Pat, are originally from Russellville. Reverend Black has taught in public education, college and seminaries. He is the author of numerous books and has traveled extensively around the world. He holds a doctorate with postgraduate work in Pentecostal studies. The two have worked toget...

News Briefs (July 31, 2015)Williams family jamboree Saturday The Williams Family Jamboree will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, two and a half miles north of Dover on State Highway 7. There will be a variety of singers featured. All singers and musicians are invited. For more information, call 479-331-2314. Two new museum exhibits Aug. 14 Historic Arkansas Museum will host the free opening reception for two new exhibits during second Friday Art Night, from 5-8 p.m. on Aug. 14 at ...

Fugitive arrested in Yell CountyDANVILLE — Yell County Sheriff’s Deputies apprehended a fugitive Wednesday morning that was listed on the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Most Wanted list after receiving a tip that he might be in the area. According to a release from the Yell County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), Lance Lamuel, 35, of Jacksonville was taken into custody at a residence in Rover on outstanding warrants for failure to appear on simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms an...

Community photo: ConAgra raises money for local childrenConAgra Foods Inc. presented a check to River Valley Food 4 Kids for $1,757.65 on July 14. The money was raised through fundraisers, such as a pie in the face game, a cook-off and several other drives. The funds will be used to support the Russellville School District’s weekend backpack program, which ensures that children in need have food throughout the weekend, when they will not receive meals at school.

Chief gives fire station updateRussellville Fire Chief John Cochran gave a short update on the new central fire station to Planning Commissioners during their regular meeting Monday at City Hall. The commission approved recommendations to rezone property currently C-2 to C-1 at 111 and 113 N. El Paso Ave., and for a special use permit to operate a central fire station and allow C-1 parking. Cochran said seven sites in the downtown area were considered, adding that it was ve...

Car Clinic changes locationsThe Car Clinic of Russellville has changed locations. Previously at 3515 W. Main St. in Russellville, The Car Clinic has now moved to 1000 E 28th St. in Russellville. The Car Clinic, owned by Rick Butts, is a full-service auto repair that works on all makes and models for both foreign and domestic cars. The Car Clinic has been in business in Russellville for 10 years and has two full-time auto-tech mechanics on site. Owner/operator, Butts, has...

Quilting for cancer patientsMost people are familiar with the idea of a security blanket or a safety blanket and how something so simple can be all it takes to make someone feel better. This is the idea the Russellville group, Stitch and Tie, has believed and used for several years. Stitch and Tie is a local group made up of volunteers from the West Side Church of Christ in Russellville. The group gives blankets and quilts to cancer patients who are undergoing chemothera...

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BY CAMERON TATE AND TRAVIS SIMPSONThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

News Briefs (July 30, 2015)Food on the mountain The Mount George Church of Christ will host a multi-church event at 9 a.m. on Aug. 8 the Mt. George Church of Christ at intersection of State Highways 28 and 154. Food on the Mount will provide groceries, school supplies,school haircuts,medical and dental checkups, lunch,games, horse and buggy rides, fire safety/fire truck tours and lots of other things to do. For more information or to volunteer, call 479-747-3149. Old Ti...

Atkins School Board approves laptop purchasesATKINS — The Atkins School Board approved Tuesday the purchase of laptops for students in fifth grade and up. Superintendent Joseph Fisher said in the middle school, laptops will be distributed by classroom, and in ninth grade and above, they will be distributed to each student. No action was taken on an item pertaining to fence repairs. Fisher said some of the quotes for the project to mend fences were incomplete. The matter will be revisited...